Tag: Saab 9-4x

Saabosphere – links we linked this week

Forgive me, but I’ll start with a bit of reading I didn’t like. Analysts. I’m so over reading thoughts from analysts.

Auto industry analysts in Sweden said car company Saab looked to be on its last legs.

Actually, it’s analysts from all over the place, not just in Sweden.

No analyst wants to be on the wrong side of an issue and everyone wants to get their name (or their firm’s name) in the paper so they look like “the man”. Right now the issue is the state of Saab and we have a massive target on our backs.

Here’s the thing, though. The same people were making the same predictions about us back in late 2009, when GM said they would close our doors. We’re still here, and if the people who work at Saab have anything to do with the decision, then we’ll still be here in five, ten, twenty years and more from now.

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In contrast to all the doomsayers out there, BNET has an article that looks at the various rays of hope emerging in the last weeks.

Good to see someone bucking the trend and seeing the threads that are tying things together here in Trollhattan.

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In a similar vein, TTELA journalist Valdemar Lönnroth took a look at the five reasons, both positive and negative, why Saab will survive or perish in the near term. (in Swedish)

TTELA is always recommended reading for issues to do with Saab. They’re local, well connected and quite objective when it comes to Saab coverage. And Valdemar….. we’ll be OK.

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It was nice to see our recent news about the Top Safety Pick award for the Saab 9-4x making the rounds. This, from Motor Trend.

The IIHS tested the Saab 9-4x for frontal offset, side impact, and rear crash performance; the 9-4x earned “Good” ratings in all tests, the Institute’s highest mark. The IIHS also gave the 9-4x a “Good” rating for rollover protection and roof strength. The 9-4x also comes standard with Electronic Stability Control (ESP), which is a requirement for all Top Safety Picks.

In the words of the hokey-pokey: That what it’s all about.

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Speaking of the Saab 9-4x, enthusiast website Saabs United got photos of what could well be the first Saab 9-4x delivery over the weekend.

The car was a fully loaded black Aero, purchased from Saab of North Olmstead, in Ohio.

I had a Premium [model] on order, but the dealer (Saab in North Olmsted Ohio) received their first one yesterday – a black Aero, fully loaded. I put my butt into the seat, looked around and bought it on the spot before even driving it.

If other dealers would like to dispute this “first” claim, please get in touch and send along your photographic proof 🙂

There are photos of the car at the Saabs United link, above. It looks fantastic, and I’d like to pass on my congratulations and appreciation to the new owner.

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German website Saabblog.net takes an enjoyable look into the crystal ball to see what will be happening at Saab in 2017.

Great vision! I’m not sure about how much of that can/will get done, but there’s a good deal of stuff there that’s well reasoned and do-able. And what excited me even more was the fact that this came out of Germany, where we need to build a bigger presence. It’s always great to see some more German Saab fans getting engaged in things.

We wait and see.

And thanks to my mate RedJ for the tip.

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And finally, my feeds have been blowing up this week over stories from Fashion Week and the designer, Elie Saab. Apparently he’s released a new fragrance as well as a whole bunch of new clothing (which everyone seems to rave about).

A few years ago, a friend of mine from England (and Saab 99 and 900 book author) named Lance Cole wrote a spendid piece on the (original) Saab Smell.

It’s highly recommended reading (link to a copied version on SaabScene as my old website, Trollhattan Saab, seems to be having a hard time at the moment).

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In the carpark II…..

Saab 9-4x 3.0 Premium in Moorland Bronze.

Like most Saab fans, I was a little skeptical when I first saw the 9-4x concept back in 2008. With a little time and personal exposure, however, I have to say …….. I could definitely have one of these. It’s the first time I’ve seen the color and this interior configuration up close and it’s absolutely magnificent.

Click.

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Saab 9-4X Joins Saab 9-5 Sedan in earning Top Safety Pick 2011

Another piece of great product news is out today. Safety is, of course, one of our brand pillars so it’s great to see our newest vehicle, the Saab 9-4x, fitting in with the family ethos. – SW

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The new Saab 9-4X crossover has earned ‘Top Safety Pick’, the highest rating for crashworthiness awarded by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in the United States. Only three weeks ago, the Saab 9-5 Sedan received the same accolade.

“To achieve two Top Safety Picks in three weeks is, of course, extremely gratifying,” says Per Lenhoff, Head of Safety Development at Saab Automobile. “Our main priority is always the protection of real people in real accidents, but the IIHS tests are a valuable guide for consumers and it is important for us to achieve good results.”

IIHS is a research and communications organization funded by auto insurers in the US. The test procedures include front impact (offset) and side impact crashes. Seat/head restraints are also tested in a simulated rear-end impact to assess protection against whiplash injuries and the roof structure is tested to assess vehicle rollover protection.

Performance is rated as ’Good’, ’Acceptable’, ’Marginal’ or ’Poor’ in each of the tests and to achieve the ’Top Safety Pick’ award, cars must achieve the highest rating in all four procedures and should also be fitted with ESP®.

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Saab 9-4x deliveries beginning in the United States

I thought it might be good to bring back some Saab 9-4x review summaries on the front page of this website.

The reason for this is a quote from Tim Colbeck, COO of Saab Cars North America, who appeared on Autoline After Hours last week. He stated the following during the interview:

“Around 5:30 today, the first 9-4x’s were shipped from the factory at Ramos, where they’re produced. So they’ll hit dealerships by the end of the month.”

That means there are some very exciting times ahead for Saab and a for a number of future Saab 9-4x owners. Your vehicles are on their way!

This has become one of the most anticipated model launches in modern times for Saab, both for the additional segment the vehicle will bring to Saab’s range, and also because the Saab 9-4x has been so well received by the motoring press in reviews so far.

If you haven’t checked them out already, here are the the early reports on the Saab 9-4x…..

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Autoblog: “From its cantilevered roof to its sweeping “hockey stick” greenhouse, ice-block blue headlamps and full-width LED taillamp band that echoes that of the 9-5 sedan, Saab has done a remarkable job imbuing brand hallmarks old and new into this simple two-box form…..

…..the 9-4X clearly skews toward the sportier end of the luxury crossover arena, eschewing leather-lined kinschleppers like the Lexus RX and Volvo XC60 in favor of chasing sportier entries like the Audi Q5, Mercedes-Benz GLK, and BMW X3.”

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AutoGuide: “Saab hasn’t been cruising on easy street, but the 9-4X could be the x-factor that changes negatives into positives.”

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Car and Driver: C&D took a comparative approach, looking at the 9-4x in comparison with it’s sister vehicle at Cadillac, noting that Saab engineer Peter Dörrich was the chief architect behind both vehicles. You can see Peter’s view on the “Saabness” of this vehicle in this video, shot in Los Angeles last year.

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LeftLane News: “Unlike the SRX, the 9-4X’s steering felt linear and direct, if a little light on feel. Reactions were quick at any speed, with positive turn-in and good straight line stability. Despite the Aero’s big 20-inch wheels wrapped in performance-oriented tires, the 9-4X was nearly silent on the highway. That bling hardly disturbed ride quality, either, which was several notches above the SRX. Where the Cadillac is wooden and confused over undulating surfaces, the 9-4X happily took anything in stride. Body lean is modest, as it should be in a soft-riding crossover.”

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Motor Authority: “Cargo-wise, there’s lots to love here. Although the floor is a bit taller than you might expect, there’s a ‘hidden’ compartment under a large portion of it; rear seatbacks also fold flat, and they can be adjusted for rake to three different positions. The cargo management system is very useful, with a bar that can be configured to split part of the space off—to keep grocery bags from tipping, or suitcases from sliding around the space.”

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Winding Road: “The controls enhance this feeling of refined responsiveness. The steering has a well-chosen ratio with decent on-center operation. The brakes are firm, with a pedal feel that should be studied by some sports car makers. Best of all, the automatic transmission, especially in sport mode, anticipates the downshift you will need so that you seem to be in the right gear for acceleration much of the time.”

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Saab 9-4x is in production

This is just a short one, but when I heard it an hour or so ago, I figured it was one of those little milestones that ought to be mentioned.

It’s with no small amount of joy that I can point out to you that production of the 2011 model year Saab 9-4x started on Monday 16th of May.

The 2011 models were all ordered by Saab dealers back in February and the model year’s entire production run is completely accounted for. Production of 2012 models will begin in a few months from now.

Vive la 9-4x!

Saab 9-4x – reviews at a glance

Saab recently hosted members of the automotive press in Washington DC. Their mission – to drive the all new Saab 9-4x crossover.

It’s fair to say that the reviews have been very positive for the Saab 9-4x. It’s been noticed in Saab-land, too. Just Saab, a dealer in Ohio, tweeted the following this morning:

In over 16 years with Saab, I cannot recall better press toward a new model than the new 9-4x. It’s almost euphoric. Great Job Saab team!

Naturally, we’re pretty happy with the outcome of the road reviews. And we’re equally happy that our dealer network and customers are excited about it, too. This is a vehicle that Saab has needed for some time and we’ve finally done it, and more importantly, we’ve done it right.

You should rarely take one review as the chapter-and-verse about a vehicle. Different reviewrs have a different emphasis. Accordingly, here’s a sample of some of the reviews that have come online recently. We recommend that you check them out at your leisure:

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Autoblog: “From its cantilevered roof to its sweeping “hockey stick” greenhouse, ice-block blue headlamps and full-width LED taillamp band that echoes that of the 9-5 sedan, Saab has done a remarkable job imbuing brand hallmarks old and new into this simple two-box form…..

…..the 9-4X clearly skews toward the sportier end of the luxury crossover arena, eschewing leather-lined kinschleppers like the Lexus RX and Volvo XC60 in favor of chasing sportier entries like the Audi Q5, Mercedes-Benz GLK, and BMW X3.”

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AutoGuide: “Saab hasn’t been cruising on easy street, but the 9-4X could be the x-factor that changes negatives into positives.”

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Car and Driver: C&D took a comparative approach, looking at the 9-4x in comparison with it’s sister vehicle at Cadillac, noting that Saab engineer Peter Dörrich was the chief architect behind both vehicles. You can see Peter’s view on the “Saabness” of this vehicle in this video, shot in Los Angeles last year.

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LeftLane News: “Unlike the SRX, the 9-4X’s steering felt linear and direct, if a little light on feel. Reactions were quick at any speed, with positive turn-in and good straight line stability. Despite the Aero’s big 20-inch wheels wrapped in performance-oriented tires, the 9-4X was nearly silent on the highway. That bling hardly disturbed ride quality, either, which was several notches above the SRX. Where the Cadillac is wooden and confused over undulating surfaces, the 9-4X happily took anything in stride. Body lean is modest, as it should be in a soft-riding crossover.”

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Motor Authority: “Cargo-wise, there’s lots to love here. Although the floor is a bit taller than you might expect, there’s a ‘hidden’ compartment under a large portion of it; rear seatbacks also fold flat, and they can be adjusted for rake to three different positions. The cargo management system is very useful, with a bar that can be configured to split part of the space off—to keep grocery bags from tipping, or suitcases from sliding around the space.”

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Winding Road: “The controls enhance this feeling of refined responsiveness. The steering has a well-chosen ratio with decent on-center operation. The brakes are firm, with a pedal feel that should be studied by some sports car makers. Best of all, the automatic transmission, especially in sport mode, anticipates the downshift you will need so that you seem to be in the right gear for acceleration much of the time.”

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Winding Road drive the Saab 9-4x

We’ve been waiting for the Saab 9-4x road test to come in and now, Winding Road has come to the party with the type of review we always thought the 9-4x would be capable of achieving.

I’ve been writing about Saab for around six years now and one of the common complaints I’ve had about automotive journalists is that they don’t “get it” when it comes to Saab. Too many write from a cookie-cutter viewpoint, a perspective that is commonplace, but one that Saab just doesn’t fit.

Winding Road doesn’t just “get it” in this review, they take steps to show you why they “get it” and how you can “get it” too.

The entire first half of the review deals with Saab’s brand positioning. Why are Saabs different? What sort of customer do they attract and how can they be so bold as to position themselves against Audi, Mercedes and BMW?

We are different here at Saab. It’s true. A Saab fits you like no other car IF you’re of a particular mindset. It’s like you’ve found an automotive soulmate and can take a rest from the posturing and just relax, enjoy your natural excitement and the fact that yes, you do have some sort of symbiotic relationship with a car. It’s a little strange, but true.

Anyway, Winding Road spend some time on Saab’s attributes and the way they compare to other brands in Saab’s market segment. It really does go some way to explaining the Saab appeal to readers who might not already understand it.

If you really look at the chart and think about it, Saab stands out from BMW, Mercedes, Volvo and Lexus pretty well. Saab stands out against these brands because of what a Saab isn’t. A Saab isn’t a BMW, Mercedes or Lexus with their social-climber attributes and it isn’t a boring luxury car, like a Volvo, Mercedes or Lexus. Those at least are the views of the Saab buyer.

After examining the Saab ethos, Winding Road take a good look over the Saab 9-4x – and the good news for Saab fans continues.

If I had a single fear about reading Saab 9-4x reviews, it was that the review would include a whole bunch of comparative references to the Cadillac SRX (both vehicles were developed at the same time, with Saab’s Peter Dörrich as head of the project). Not so. In fact, the 9-4x shines purely because its own attributes.

Here are some excerpts:

We don’t know if Saab will be able to impress people in the showroom, but the 9-4X, at least in the Aero trim we drove, is certainly good enough to pull it off on the right test drive….

….and….

…..For those paying attention, the driving dynamics of the 9-4X are positively brilliant. The 9-4X has a smoothness and stability going down the road that buyers will find hard to beat. The genius here is that Saab does smoothness not by giving the driver a flaccid, mushy chassis, but by using a very stiff body structure and a carefully designed suspension…..

This is one that I really like….

….The brakes a firm, with a pedal feel that should be studied by some sports car makers.

…not enough people appreciate the importance of a sorted braking system. Kudos.

I could include so much more of this review from Winding Road, but they’d end up suing me for breach of copyright.

The best thing you can do is read the Winding Road Saab 9-4x review for yourself.

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An update from the Saab 9-4x test drive in Washington DC

Saab are hosting automotive journalists from around the world this week, for a test drive of the all new Saab 9-4x. I brought you a few images from the first day of the event, yesterday. Today, we’ll take a look at how things are going, as well as giving you a peek behind the curtain as to what actually goes on at these events. Do automotive journalists really have the best jobs in the world?

First, the update.

I’ve been in touch with Mikael Jacobsson, who is the Product Manager for the Saab 9-4x. He summed up the event in one word – SUCCESS!

The event itself has gone wonderfully well, but better than that, the reception given to the car from the automotive press has been uniformly positive.

The scenic Swedish-like route we are driving is fantastic, but more importantly the journalists have been extremely positive about the car. The design, handling, comfort, versatility, features and technologies – the entire car has been getting superlatives. This is something we’ve thought ourselves for a while, but now we can start to share it. The media the first to drive the 9-4x. Our dealers and customers will follow soon. Can’t wait to hear their feedback.

Here are some images from day 2 of the test drive event. Click to enlarge.

PhoeniX is at the event and everyone wants to stand near it, even Victor Muller, the Chairman of Saab Automobile……

Product Manager Mikael Jacobsson gives the media a few lessons (on XWD technology, perhaps?)…..

The new head of Saab Cars North America, Tim Colbeck, addresses the cameras alongside PhoeniX…..

The Saab 9-4x shows some light and shade. This is the first time I’ve seen a darker color in Aero trim, which looks fantastic.

Peter Dorrich, the father of the Saab 9-4x and sister vehicle from Cadillac, addresses some questions from the motoring media.

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So……

What exactly goes on that these events? Do automotive journalists have it as good as everyone thinks?

Here’s the program for the Saab 9-4x test drive event. 25 US media persons went through this program today and a dozen or so from Europe will do the same tomorrow.

  • Attendees arrive the night before their scheduled drive day and share a dinner with the Saab team.
  • The next morning, there’s breakfast, followed by a brief product presentation, before attendees go to the House of Sweden in Washington, to collect their cars.
  • The morning drive session starts at 0830 and continues through to 1330, with a stop halfway at Swedenburg Estate winery for a driver change (and hopefully not too much sampling of the estate’s product by the next driver)
  • Lunch is at 1330 at Magnolia on the Mills
  • The afternoon drive begins, concluding at 1600 at the Ritz Hotel (the start point)
  • Then they wind up, clean the cars and do it all again….

So, do you think automotive journalists have the best job in the world?

This is definitely nice, and it’d be great to be driving the Saab 9-4x in the countryside. Unfortunately, however, for every Saab 9-4x they get to drive, they also have to drive a bunch of small, generic city cars or bland family sedans.

I’m not suggesting you feel sorry for them, not by any means. It’s just a matter of perspective. Hopefully Saab are giving them all some pretty nice perspective right now.

Saab 9-4x testing in Washington DC

The Saab 9-4x did its first round of press testing for long-lead press back in March. That event was pretty quiet at the time and the resulting road tests only just came out last week.

Today was Day 1 of a week long press event for short-lead journalists and I guess you could say it’s a ‘bigger’ event for the purposes our reportage here on Inside Saab. Firstly, we’ll start to see results coming through very quickly. Keep your eyes out for Saab 9-4x road reports in the next day or so. Second, there are more journalists involved in the event. And finally, we’ve got pictures!

There are more than two 9-4x’s involved in this event, of course, but here’s a pair awaiting their test drives.

The new head of Saab Cars North America, Tim Colbeck, whose appointment was announced only hours earlier, was present at the event. Tim is speaking here with Saab’s design chief, Jason Castriota.

Saab Automobile Chairman (a.k.a “the boss”) Victor Muller holds court with the assembled press prior to hitting the road……

…. and again, providing some media footage from the event.

The primary focus of this event is to expose the Saab 9-4x to the US motoring press. The US will be the main target market for this vehicle, even though it will also be sold elsewhere. That’s not to say that European media isn’t present there. Many will ‘cross the pond’ in order to get their first drive in the 9-4x this week.

in fact, Swedish journalist with Svenska Dagbladet, Karin Henriksson, seems to be the first reporter to get a news story in from this event. You can read her thoughts (in Swedish) here.

The Saab 9-4x drive event continues all week, with different journalists driving the vehicles each day. I’m sure there will be plenty more to read as the week progresses.

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